Photo Credit: Desktop Nexus

These are the dog days of summer, so named because of the annual conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the red-hot sun. Now’s the time to check on the health of your A/C system. If you discover that it needs a tune-up, you’ll want to call an experienced professional that can trouble-shoot any problem asap. CalFinder’s certified air conditioning contractors can help you chill out, either by upgrading your existing system or installing new energy-saving equipment.

Most of the major residential A/C systems are manufactured in conjunction with heating and ventilation systems (HVAC), so the whole picture must be taken into account before making a decision. Lennox, Rheem, and Carrier are a few of the major brands available, and your CalFinder speciliast will know which one is right for your home.

Explore the air conditioning experts in your area at.

Or check out some of our newest A/C contractors:

• ARS Comfort Solutions in Gilroy, CA
• SENS Mechanical, serving Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia
• Sunflower GC, based in Brooklyn, NY

The Detroit News (yep, it’s hot in Motown, too) featured an article by “The Handyman” Glenn Haege, about making your air conditioning system more efficient. Lots of helpful tips and tidbits give you ways to think and feel cooler. He suggests, “If you are planning to replace your old air conditioner, make sure your contractor does a heat gain study and replaces it with a properly sized and Energy Star-rated air conditioner that will make you more comfortable and save you money.”

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What is HVAC? Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — oh, those luxurious words that describe what we tend to take for granted in our 21st century lives. Lucky us, to have the ability to control the climates of our homes’ interiors with systems that let us regulate temperature and air flow with the flick of a switch or click of a button.

ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) is the leading provider of technical and business training for HVAC contracting professionals. The education and training required of those who enter the exacting field of keeping people comfortable in buildings of all kinds is so extensive that there’s a school called ComfortU. Catchy, huh?

If it’s time to overhaul your home’s HVAC system, CalFinder can help you find just the contractor for your needs. You may be looking for a Carrier, Rheem, Trane, Bryant, or other branded system. Maybe you want radiant floor heating, mini-split cooling, or a hydronic system. Whatever system you require, CalFinder does all the footwork to ensure your satisfaction with pre-screened, qualified contractors in your service area. These professionals provide expertise in the selection, installation, and servicing of a full range of high efficiency systems that represent the most advanced home comfort technology available on the market today.

Photo credit: http://www.grandspektra.com.my/products/cat/hvac.jpg

Here is an example of the excellent HVAC contractors certified by CalFinder:

One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating

“Our business actions must always be conducted in the most honorable, honest and ethical fashion,” claims this company, which serves residents in the vast San Fernando Valley of LA. They provide “the future of home services and make the future possible today.”

When you click on your state and select your county from the Map Finder on CalFinder’s search page for HVAC contractors, you will come to a page inviting you to get free estimates from quality heating and air conditioning contractors. CalFinder’s team says, “HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems are the circulatory lifeblood of a house, hidden from sight yet vital to the working of your home. There are many different types of systems in your home, but for our purposes we will focus on heating and air conditioning. Insulation plays a huge role in both of these processes, so we will highlight this as well. These hidden systems need forethought, because they aren’t easily changed and are expensive and long lasting. The forgotten electrical floor plug or an undersized air conditioning system can be inconvenient and expensive to remedy.”

You’ll also find a wide variety of informative articles about HVAC in CalFinder’s Blog, Magazine, and Library.

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Q: If I upgrade my home’s insulation, will I see immediate results in my utility bills?

A: Yes, that’s why the experts say adding ceiling and wall insulation is a good idea. You’ll notice the difference on your utility bill right away. This is especially true for homes built before 1990.

Q: What’s the best kind of insulation to use?

A: Foam insulation is the best. This product is applied as spray liquid and then expands to foam. Enviro Foam is considered to be the most energy efficient insulation on the market. It’s better than fiberglass, cellulose, and rockwool. It prevents condensation, moisture, and mold.

Q: Will it cost me a lot to have a contractor insulate my home?

A: You’ll pay very little out of pocket. Combined with economic stimulus rebates and local utility discounts (if available in your area), the cost to homeowners is minimal. Check with CalFinder.com for a contractor in your area.

Q: What kind of federal rebate can I earn from insulating my home?

A: The tax credit is 30 percent of cost or a maximum of $1,500. But it’s all part of a larger federal stimulus package that includes price incentives for installing windows, adding central air, or adding a new water heater. For information, go to energystar.gov and click on “Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.”

Photo credit: Giles Douglas

Links:

http://sltrib.com/business/ci_12112028

http://envirofoaminsulation.com/criteria.html

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According to Air Central Controls, green technology will take over the HVAC industry within the next 5 to 10 years. That’s why the company offers geothermal, hybrid, and dual fuel technology along with conventional heating and air conditioning.

In this economy, though, most people can’t afford geothermal products that start at around $20,000. Air Central Controls suggests hybrid dual fuel technology as an alternative if you can’t cut the cost or don’t want your whole backyard dug up. Starting costs for hybrid systems are much lower at $8,000 to $12,000. At the same time, you’ll lesson your dependency on fossil fuels.

Air Central Controls says hybrid technology has been around for decades and is frequently used in the southern states, where the company is based. “With a hybrid system, you can reduce how often you use your furnace. In a comparative test over a set timeframe, conventional split systems ran for 250 days while a hybrid system ran for 98 to 130 days, a drastic reduction in number.”

At the same time, within 5 to 8 years, you’ll break even on up-front costs with the money you save on utility bills. With a conventional system, you would have done the opposite, spending another $2,000 to $4,000 because the unit can’t keep up with the cost of inflation on gas and electrical.

Photo credit: Air Central Controls

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At the turn of the century, roughly 90 percent of American families used wood to heat their homes. By 1970 the total was down to one percent. The energy crisis of that decade, however, revived wood heating in the American conscious. Here in the new millennium history is repeating itself as, in the face of record energy prices (despite the recent decline), homeowners once again turn to wood and other renewable fuel sources for warmth.

Still there is much debate about how beneficial for the environment wood heat actually is. Many municipalities feel it is detrimental to local air quality and have passed measures limiting the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, and other wood burning appliances. Just last month, The Bay Area Air Quality Management District initiated a ban on wood burning on certain winter days in the nine counties surrounding San Francisco. This came with a healthy measure of resentment from many area homeowners and members of the local wood heat industry.

So is wood heat the cheap, renewable, efficient heat source that proponents claim? Or is it a real danger to local air quality and public health? What are the pros and cons?

PROS

• Cheap. Wood heat is inexpensive. According to this calculator (at default settings – energy costs and savings will vary by location), wood heat’s annual costs are roughly one-third the amount of oil and electric heat, one-fourth that of propane, half the cost of natural gas, and about $150 cheaper than coal.
• Renewable. Wood is a local and renewable resource. Carbon dioxide released by burning wood is recycled back into young trees. Essentially wood contains stored energy from the sun which, upon burning, is released back into the cycle.
• Local. Rather than sending a check to some large corporation, money is circulated among the local economy – in terms of extra money you have to spend locally and the money you give your neighbor to cut and/or deliver the wood.
• Independent. Should the energy grid fail, a home with a fireplace still has available heat.
• Promotes Informed Energy Efficiency. It takes responsibility and attention to detail to really save money while effectively heating the home. Newer fireplaces and wood stoves rival other energy sources in efficiency as well. Arguably, wood burning homeowners tend to pay more attention to their energy consumption.
• Romance and Tradition. In addition to the more pragmatic approach, there is also the benefit of romance, nostalgia, and family unity that can result from a winter night around the hearth.

CONS

• Inefficient. Older fireplaces have as little as five percent efficiency. They suck warm air out of the home for combustion and send it up the chimney and out of the house, effectively defeating their very purpose.
• Pollution. Fireplaces are a significant source of pollution, especially in winter months when smoke is trapped low to the surface by clouds, causing respiratory problems and other health risks. They can also cause indoor health risks such as buildup of carbon monoxide in the home.
• Fire Safety. Wood burning appliances increase the risk of a home fire, usually via proximity to combustibles or failure to maintain cleanliness and clear air flow.

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

It is fairly plain to see that the positives far outweigh the negatives. Furthermore, simple steps can be taken to mitigate those negatives.

1. True, older fireplaces are very inefficient. Yet new EPA-certified wood burning appliances can reach 80 percent efficiency and fireplace inserts are available to beef up masonry fireplaces.
2. Pollution is a real problem with wood heat. Yet a properly burned fire emits very little smoke. Educating homeowners about sizing, loading, and maintaining a fire may be more effective than an outright ban.
3. Fire safety can also be corrected with some simple steps. First off, require a professional to install new fireplaces or wood stoves and ensure annual cleaning by a professional chimney sweep. Again, make sure users of wood heat are educated about safety. It is mostly common sense and most people are well aware already.

It is understandable that local municipalities be concerned about pollution and safety and, to give them the benefit of the doubt, they are probably doing what they feel is best. And just as wood heat is a local resource, so is it a local issue that should be solved by local residents. But it is important to note that every night that wood heat goes unused is another night that fossil fuel heat is used; a non-renewable heat source that is proven to have a much more far reaching effect on health and environment.

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SFGate . There’s a product called Nansulate, produced using Nanotechnology. It is a paint-on insulation that suspends specially engineered particles with low-conductivity in an acrylic base. The particles are water-resistant, making the paint a weapon against mold and mildew. Unlike traditional fiberglass insulations, this new product is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

Sounds like a pretty good idea, but is it affordable to the average homeowner? Surprisingly, it is actually quite affordable. At $66 for 150 sqft of coverage, it is an inexpensive alternative to other forms of insulation. Especially if you take into account the ability to avoid opening-up walls or crawling under houses. The paint can be applied with a brush, sprayer, or roller. It is applied to walls, windows, pipes, and water heaters, and can even be applied over existing paint.

Because this is a fairly new product and its composition is so different from traditional insulation materials, it is hard to do a straight, across-the-board comparison between the two. So far, however, those who have already used it report a 20-40% savings on their utility bills. It definitely sounds like it is worth trying out. Fairly easy to install, why not see how it can help your energy efficiency this season?

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Furnaces typically facilitate forced-air heating and can also work to heat hot water. They can be fueled by electricity, gas, diesel, propane, or oil. Trying to decide which option is least expensive can be a bit difficult. This article offers extensive advice on how to choose a new furnace. As it wisely points out, it is in your best interest to choose the type of fuel based upon rates for your area. This can vary greatly depending on where you live; and what may be advantageous for me in Oregon may be a lot more expensive for someone in Florida.

If all of the options are looking a bit bleak, you might consider an alternative heat source. Perhaps, even look into a solar system. Take what measures you can to ensure the energy efficiency of your home as well. Look for leaks in the ductwork or uninsulated areas. Look for drafty windows, or other areas where you may be losing valuable heat. Request free estimates from prescreened contractors who may be able to give you some valuable input on the best systems as well as which fuel is the best right now.

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“Last summer I purchased an old one-and-a-half story house, probably constructed in the 20s, 30s, or 40s. The second floor (1/2 story) just has two small bedrooms and a shared closet. The roof is a 4-sided hip roof with three dormers. The upstairs is excruciatingly hot in the summer and, in spring and fall, it is still way hotter than the downstairs. I live in Atlantic Canada and this heat is unusual for me. Inside the eaves (behind the knee walls), it is even hotter. It appears to me that the enclosed eaves and ceiling of the 2nd floor have no ventilation and so the heat just builds up all day. From what I can tell, the soffits are boarded shut. So, the only ventilation is from the 3 small dormer windows, but it just will not cool off at all. It is so hot that no one can sleep up there. Do you think my assessment of the cause of this problem is correct and, if so, can I fix it? Is there some technique or product that I can use to ventilate the eaves to the outdoors? Someone suggested a cupola or a ridge vent for the attic/peak, but I’m not sure what to do about the eaves. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.”

I would guess your assessment of the problem is spot on. It sounds like there is zero ventilation in the attic and soffits and, therefore, nowhere for rising warm air to go. This is not only uncomfortable but bad for the building materials up there. Thankfully, there are plenty of solutions for providing air flow through the attic.

As for the roof, yes ridge venting is a good idea. However, considering that your roof is a four-sided hip design, I’m not sure how much ridge you have to work with. I will say that ridge venting is typically the best way to vent a roof because it does not allow any warm air to be trapped in the upper reaches of the attic. Another option would be to cut vent holes in the roof, usually a few feet down from the peak, and install vents. You can even install vents with built-in fans to encourage airflow, should you so choose. You do live in Atlantic Canada where excessive heat is not a typical problem, so I think allowing air flow should be enough.

Now to the soffits/eaves. It is vital that air be allowed to flow in and out of the attic. So venting the roof is one part of the problem. Allowing fresh air to circulate through the home is another. Venting the soffit is as easy as cutting rectangular holes (roughly 2-3″x 14″) every six to eight feet along the soffit runs. You can buy standard soffit vents from any home improvement store and just screw them into the soffit boards.

You may run into the obstacle of continuous “roll blocking” between the trusses where they sit on the exterior walls. If no avenue for air flow was allowed when the house was built then you have a bigger problem. You may need to either remove at least some of the soffit or climb up into the attic – however you can gain access to this area. Then you’ll need to drill holes through roughly every third block to facilitate ventilation. Then reinstall the soffit complete with vents.

In the same way you complete an electrical circuit, you need to create a circuit for air to flow through the home. Also think about insulation, if it’s lacking, to protect against heat gain and loss. This is all fairly simple but laborious and probably dangerous work. Therefore I highly recommend hiring a professional contractor to do the work. He or she will also be able to assess the situation on site in a more specific way. Remember, it usually doesn’t cost anything to get a professional opinion and you can go on from there. Hope this helps!

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1. High-efficiency furnaces use 90 to 95 percent or more in gas input. If your furnace is 20 years or older, you are probably using 60 percent gas input. By changing your old system, you’ll save 40 percent on your gas bill. This also results in less pollution, which is better for the environment.
2. If you are looking for a new, high-efficiency AC system, seek out products with a 13 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) rating or better. If your air conditioning system is over 10 years old, it probably has an 8 SEER rating, or less. Installing a new, energy-efficient system with a rating of 13 to 19 SEER will result in savings of 40 to 60 percent on your energy bill.
3. New HVAC units typically take just 1 to 2 days to install. The cost to replace both your heating and air conditioning system will be about $3,500 to $7,500, depending on the system you choose.

Contact CalFinder for free estimates from Atlantic Heating and Cooling, or an HVAC contractor near you!

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Ductless air conditioners, also called mini-split systems, do essentially the same thing as window units. What they add is more convenience. Basically, there are two units involved; one is placed in an interior wall and another on the exterior of the home. Two refrigerant lines run between the two units. One delivers electricity and the other carries condensation, or water, away from the interior unit.

Convenience starts with the last two ingredients of the system: a controllable thermostat and a variable quiet blower. Furthermore, a mini-split system can be tied into existing ductwork if your home has it. If not, that’s okay. Again, with ductless AC, you’ll only be cooling one room or area of the home. However, a ductless system is more convenient than a conventional system for a few reasons:

1. A thermostat will keep the room at a constant temperature. In other words, it won’t kick on and off frequently while the temperature fluctuates between comfort and discomfort.
2. Mini-split systems do not need to move with the changing of the seasons because they do not mount into a window.
3. They are quiet because the compressor sits outside the house. Only the air handler, in a split system, is inside. In this respect they are similar to central AC systems.

Ductless air conditioning systems will be more expensive than traditional wall or window units. Also, there is the added expense of hiring an HVAC contractor to do the installation. Note that you are not limited to just one interior unit. You can purchase dual- and triple-zone systems which have two or three air handlers respectively.

The actual cost will vary based on the size of your system. Single-zone systems will range from $1,000 to $2,000. Add roughly a grand for dual-zone systems. Ductless systems can also have heat pumps built into them. These will range closer to $4,000 just to purchase.

Well there you are Maur! I hope this helps and thanks again for the inspiration. Need an installer for your ductless AC system? Connect with local, certified HVAC contractors now and start building your oasis!

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